Happy birthday to one and only La!!!
Happy 12th birthday to a very special little dog - the dog who changed my life, the dog who changed agility, putting it in a whole new gear - first dog with (trained) running contacts, first dog with cik&cap.
photo by Miha Mozer
Unlike my other dogs, La didn't bring me any lessons - she came without any issues, all she brought was a big big smile and big big eyes, asking "so what are we learning today"? She gave me no issues to spend my time on and an unlimited desire to work, pushing me to try new things, pushing me to invent many new tricks to keep her busy and happy, pushing me to invent running contacts, pushing me to invent cik&cap.
I have to thank La for all this, for her enormous forgiveness and readiness to give you 120% focus for hours. I remember we were taping a commercial for 9 hours together, I remember putting a trick show together for 3 hours - and she never took her eyes off me. I remember learning running contacts with her and well, she is certainly a living proof that repetitive nature of running contacts is NOT bad for dogs. She is a living proof that agility is GOOD for dogs, that tricks are good for dogs, that keeping them active keeps them young and happy.
She is the dog who would work for days for one little piece of kibble, she is the dog who will forgive any mistake you need to do, she is the dog who will never ever give up. Her dedication, enthusiasm, passion, craziness and drive have no limits and she allowed me to learn more as any other dog could handle. She is my perfect learning dog. She never gives 100% - her world starts at 120% and everything she does, she does it with all her heart. She is the dog you get constantly stopped if walking with her down the street, the dog with a personality even not-dog-people can't miss.
She travelled half of the world with me and is the most patient little traveller ever. As a puppy, she also went with me to University in her sherpa bag. - Definitely the dog who never complains, as long as she can be with me. And if she can't be with me, then she does complain - big time! 🙂
At 12 years of age, she is still the big boss in our house and still competes at her normal height of 45cm/18", being just 38cm/15" herself, still winning against much younger and bigger dogs. This year, she qualified for both EO and WC, just won Slovenia Cup last weekend (for 10th time I think!!!) and is currently 2nd (after Le) in National Championships. I think she certainly wants to say that running contacts and (properly trained) tight turns at speed are NOT bad for dogs 🙂
Thank you La! - The most amazing dog I ever met - you always will be Simply The Best. Stay just as young and just as crazy for many many more years to come!
OH, love the flying grass highlighted by the dark tunnel!! Very cool!! Happy Birthday La, Spur and I thank you, too, for many, many things!! 😀
Yes, I love that detail too 🙂
Happy Birthday La!! Birthday hugs from Hogan, Paddy & Maureen.
Happy birthday! There should be a breed named La -- with all the puppies coming out like her 🙂
🙂
Congratulations with your very special dog!
Happy Birthday to La, you are so lucky that you have had opportunity keep you best friend so long. I hope La many more crazy years!
Happy birthday, La! Everybody needs a no-lessons dog once in a while 🙂
Happy Birthday La! Thank you for bringing us cik/cap and running contacts. Our life is so much happy and getting there was as much fun as doing it well. Love, Roma, Boulder, Pebbles and Hurricane.
Yay! 🙂
Happy Birthday La!
You are so special! When i saw you for the first time, I knew I have to own my own Pyrshep! What a wonderful, special and crazy breed! My pyrshep is now 3 years old and I hope she will be still as crazy as you are when she is 12!